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Jan Saenredam

Heroines of the New Testament: Mary Magdalen

c. 1595
engraving

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In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland · as of July 2026

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FROM THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART’S CATALOG

Mary Magdalene bathing Christ’s feet is relegated to a tiny vignette in the background of this engraving. Nearly all of the foreground space is devoted to the weeping Magdalene, her voluptuous beauty referencing her previous life as a prostitute. She holds a vessel containing the ointment she will use to bathe Christ’s feet.

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